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Watch a Unique Le Mans 24h Winner at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Watch a Unique Le Mans 24h Winner at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The Le Mans-winning rotary icon headlines Mazda’s historic racing showcase, bringing six decades of engineering innovation, craftsmanship and motorsport heritage to Monterey.

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The raucous sound of one of motorsport’s most iconic machines will soon echo across California’s Monterey Peninsula. Mazda will dazzle at the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion with an extraordinary gathering of its historic race cars, led by the legendary 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B – the rotary-engined machine that rewrote endurance racing history.

Arriving from Japan, the Mazda 787B will give many American enthusiasts their first opportunity to experience the unmistakable Renown-liveried Group C prototype in person. More than a race car, the 787B represents a rare intersection of engineering achievement, design, sound and sporting heritage – the qualities that have transformed select competition vehicles into automotive icons.

The #55 787B was driven to victory at Le Mans by Volker Weidler, Johnny Herbert, and Bertrand Gachot, making Mazda the first Japanese manufacturer to win the twice-around-the-clock French classic. It set a trend that has been followed by rivals Toyota, who have since won six editions of the world’s most famous sportscar race.

The centerpiece of Mazda’s JDM Mazda Exhibit, located in the paddock courtyard at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the 787B will serve as the hero race car of the collection. Powered by a 2.6-liter four-rotor Wankel engine, the prototype will take part in demonstration laps and live engine fire-ups throughout all four days of the Reunion, bringing its legendary high-pitched rotary soundtrack to fans in attendance.

“What a thrill to have the 787B joining us in Monterey,” said Mazda Motorsports Senior Manager Jonathan Applegate. “That sound and that livery are synonymous with Mazda’s victory at Le Mans. It is such a treat for fans to be able to see and hear it in person in the U.S. Added alongside our Mazda Heritage Collection and others, we’ll truly have a panoramic view of Mazda’s racing history.”

A Celebration of Mazda’s Racing Legacy

The Mazda 787B will anchor an impressive display spanning six decades of motorsport innovation. Surrounding the Le Mans winner will be a collection of significant Mazda racing machines that trace the evolution of the brand’s performance philosophy, from the origins of its rotary technology to its modern prototype racing efforts.

The lineup includes the 1967 Cosmo Sport – the vehicle that launched Mazda’s rotary legacy – alongside the 1989 767B-002, 1990 787-002, 1991 RX-7 GTO (pictured above), 1992 RX-792p and the 2019 RT24-P, Mazda’s most recent prototype race car.

Together, these machines tell the story of one of motorsport’s most distinctive engineering journeys, showcasing Mazda’s decades-long pursuit of innovation, endurance and performance. From early rotary-powered road cars to championship-caliber race machines, the collection represents a legacy built around unconventional thinking and technical ambition.

Tristan Nunez and Tom Long will pilot the 767B (pictured above) and 787 in Group C competition, while Japanese endurance racing icon Yojiro Terada will drive the 787B during Friday and Saturday’s Japanese Cars Exhibition Sessions. IMSA racing legend Tommy Kendall will also join the celebration alongside his own 1986/1987 IMSA GTU Championship-winning Mazda RX-7.

The combination of historic machinery and legendary drivers creates a rare opportunity to experience Mazda’s motorsport heritage as it was meant to be seen – and heard – on the racetrack. The 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion offers a rare chance to witness that philosophy through the lens of competition – where engineering creativity, emotional design and racing achievement converge.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion takes place August 12–15 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, followed by the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16, where the 787B will also be displayed.

Images by Mazda Motorsports & Charles Bradley

Charles Bradley

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